ASUU strike cripples ongoing 2nd semester exams at UNIBEN, as AAU joins

By Jethro Ibileke

The two-week nationwide warning strike declared by the national leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has disrupted the ongoing second semester examinations of the University of Benin (UNIBEN).

Recall that the national leadership of ASUU on Monday, October 13, 2025 began a nationwide two weeks warning strike to press home the demands for the implementations of the 2009 agreements with the Federal Government.

A member of the institution’s students’ union body who asked not to be named, confirmed the development.

He, however, explained that some students wrote their examination, while others did not.

“Not all students wrote their exams today. Some did while others did not. It all depends on the faculty and department,” he said.

Meanwhile, chairman of ASUU, UNIBEN chapter, Prof Enaruna Edosa, described the compliance to the national body’s directives by the members as 100 percent.

He explained that none of his members participate in the conduct of the examinations because of the strike.

“We held a congress today, directing all members of the union to comply with the order from the national body.

“The strike is for two weeks and we went round to ensure that our members comply with the directives and that they are not in classes. The compliance recorded 100 percent success.

“The directives were from the national body of ASUU that we should all go on a two week warning strike,” Edosa said.

The Students’ Union body of UNIBEN had earlier on Monday issued a circular informing students of the suspension of the ongoing examinations due to the ASUU’s strike action.

The statement signed by the Director of Information/Public Relations Officer Students’ Union of the institution, Ahonsi Godwin, advised all students to remain calm, avoid panic, and stay informed.

“This is to officially inform all students of the University of Benin that, following recent developments, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UNIBEN Chapter, has activated a two-week warning strike, effective immediately.

“As a result, all ongoing and scheduled examinations across faculties have been suspended until further notice. Academics have been directed to withdraw from all examination duties and mobilize accordingly.

“Students are advised to remain calm, avoid panic, and stay informed only through official channels of communication,” the statement said.

Ahonsi said further updates would be communicated to the students through the UNIBEN SUG WhatsApp Channel and other recognized platforms.

In a related development, members of the ASUU at Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, also complied with the strike.

The university’s ASUU chairman, Dr Cyril Onogbosele, who spoke to journalists on phone, said all members complied with the directives by the national leadership of the union to embark on the warning strike.

“AAU fully complied with the national directives on the warning strike. It is a national strike and all the branches of ASUU have to participate in which we in the university are members.

“We also held a congress today to deliberate on the matter and we have resolved to abide by the resolution of ASUU national. So, we have started,” he added.